Car for Sale: Elton John’s 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550-Manual

It’s rare to see a car like this hit the market, so you better make it count

If you’re in the market for a unique sports car that was once owned by one of the most iconic musicians in history, there’s a 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550 that’s waiting for you. You’re going to have to spend around $300,000 for it, but if you do decide to make the plunge, you can take comfort knowing that this specific Vantage V550 is owned by none other than Elton John.

The 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550 is not the rarest and most collectible Aston Martin in the world

The 1997 Aston Martin V8 Vantage V550 is not the rarest and most collectible Aston Martin in the world. Those distinctions belong to a handful of other models that rank higher on the list of most important Aston Martin models in history. But make no mistake, the Vantage V8 V550 has a seat at that dinner table. Fewer than 300 of these models were built between 1993 and 2000, and I’m guessing that not many of them have an owner as famous as Sir Elton John.

The legendary musician took ownership of this Vantage V8 V550 back when it was still brand-new in May 1997. He’s had it for the last 20 years, accumulating 8,663 miles in the process. Rest assured, though, the car is still in immaculate condition. It has the same exterior and interior colors, including the same polished figured Walnut and cashmere-soft leather that Sir John chose when he took delivery of the sports car. It even still has the same 5.3-liter V-8 engine that produced 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. At that time of its launch, the Vantage V8 V550 was the most powerful production car in the world, a title that Aston Martin rarely gets to enjoy these days.

At that time of its launch, the Vantage V8 V550 was the most powerful production car in the world, a title that Aston Martin rarely gets to enjoy these days.

The Vantage V8 V550 has also been maintained throughout its 20-year life. It still has its original service book, which comes with 19 different stamps of maintenance. It even has invoices for maintenance work done in the last three years, including a full service done last year that cost $10,000.

Some people will point out that the Vantage V8 V550 should’ve have been a better sports car than it turned it into, and while some of those points ring true — poor handling was its biggest flaw — the allure of taking ownership of the last hand-built Aston Martin from a celebrity as famous as Sir Elton John makes this particular vehicle worth its asking price of around $300,000.

Flaws notwithstanding, this sports car deserves a new owner who will take care of it as well as its (world-famous) current owner has in the 20 years he’s owned it.